Review Tumour Necrosis Factor: A New Mediator in Coronary Ischemic Syndromes

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF-Å) is a polypeptide (MW 17 kDa) secreted from reticuloendothelial cells in response to a wide variety of inflammatory and infectious stimuli. After bonding with its specific receptor, activation of G protein system and various protein kinases take place and this causes its ubiquitous biological effects in different types of tissues. TNF-Å has important roles in cachexia, endotoxic shock, coagulation, immunity, ischemia and reperfusion. TNF-Å, by causing the activation of important adhesion molecules, leukocytes and platelet activating factor, may aggravate and shapen the ischemic process. The increase of its serum level after acute myocardial infarction and other animal models further supports the notion that TNF-Å has an important role in myocardial ischemia. In this brief review biologic effects of TNF-Å, its possible role in ischemic syndromes. With special reference to myocardial ischemia, are described.